This Week’s Character Quality: Thankfulness – Being grateful and saying so. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Middle School College Prep Night for Eighth Grade Parents: Tuesday, November 5th, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper School Horner Training Center. The parent meeting is hosted by PCA Upper School Guidance office topics: How to Optimize the High School Years.

Biblical Worldview Institute (BWI): There are so many incredible opportunities for our students to learn at PCA, and one of the best tools we use to sharpen students is the training we offer during our annual Biblical Worldview Institute. We have planned great speakers to share with our students. More information is available on myPCA resource board for BWI.

BWI is Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th. November 8th is an all-school early dismissal date – please note that grades 7th and 8th will be dismissed for carpool at 11:45 a.m. after the BWI conference is concluded.

It’s Time for the Spelling Bee: Registration is open for the ACSI In-House Spelling Bees for students in grades 3rd-8th. The In-House Spelling Bees will take place on November 19th or November 20th (grade level teachers will determine their Spelling Bee date.) Students will compete against other students in their grade level with the winners advancing to the District Spelling Bee on January 31st at Firewheel Christian Academy in Garland, Texas.

Word lists for each grade level can be found on myPCA. Select the grade level group for your student, then select the topic. A Spelling Bee topic board will be available to click on and the word lists will be listed by grade level.

Registration Link: www.prestonwoodchristian.org/pca-life/school-forms/spelling-bee 

If you have any questions or need additional information, contact the Curriculum Office at 972-930-4015, or email Anslie Dysart at [email protected].

2019 Virtual State of School Address: State of School has a new format this year which will be engaging and half the time as usual (about 30 minutes). Access to the broadcast will be available beginning at 6:45 p.m. and the event will kick off at 7:00 p.m. We will have grade level attendance contests, so be sure to register your attendance (only one member per family is necessary) and your students’ grade(s) will get credit. Details on myPCA resource board.

PSAT: Eighth Grade takes the PSAT on November 12th, please do everything possible to avoid any conflicts on this day as no make-up exams are allowed by The College Board. In addition to essential practice for the SAT, the PSAT also serves as one of the three qualifiers for certain class levels at PCA for Upper School. We encourage students to perform at their best and take the test day seriously. Students are encouraged to get a good night’s sleep and have breakfast which are added components of success. More information will be emailed to parents and students as the day approaches.

Service Project Day: Thursday, November 21st, is our annual Fall Service Project Day for 7th-12th-grade students. An email with details will be sent to parents and students as the date approaches. Students will travel in small advisory groups to agencies across the Metroplex, providing help and assistance to many organizations in our community. Some of the agencies we partner with include: Grace Bridge, H.I.S. Bridgebuilders, Bonton Farms, Feed My Starving Children, North Texas Food Bank, and many more. Student transportation will be by bus to their scheduled locations. Lunch will take place at a nearby mall food court where students will have a variety of choices. Students may also bring a sack lunch.

Advisory Challenge: As an added part of Service Project Day, our Middle School advisory groups are participating in an “Advisory Challenge.”

• This year each advisory group is working together to fill Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Each advisory will decide how many boxes they can provide. Students are to bring the items they signed up for to their advisor from November 4th – November 19th. Also, if possible please, students are asked to bring money to go towards shipping the boxes ($9.00 per box is needed). Please be on the lookout for an email copy of the sign-up sheet from your student’s advisor. On November 21st, Service Project Day students and advisors then pack the ten boxes and bring them to chapel. We will conclude our service project then.

Upcoming Events:

• November 5th: Middle School College Prep Night for Eighth Grade Parents.
• November 8th: All School Early Release – Please note that grades 7th and 8th will be dismissed for carpool at 11:45 a.m. after the BWI conference is concluded.
• November 11th: 2019 Virtual State of School Address! State of School!
• November 12th: PSAT – all of the 8th grade.
• November 21st: 7th and 8th grade Service Project Day!